Furniture structure



Sept. 25, 1962 E. H. THIERFELDER FURNITURE STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W 10W BY.

Filed April 27, 1960 p 1962 E. H. THIERFELDER 3,055,017

FURNITURE STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27, 1960 United States Patent Ollice Patented Sept. 25, 1962 STRUQTURE Er /in H. Thierfeider, Wheaten, lit, assignor to The Englander Company, inn, Chicago, flit, a corporation of Deiaware Filed Apr. 27, 196i), Ser. No. 24,974 3 Claims. (Ci. -2)

The present invention relates to a novel furniture structure, and more particularly to a novel convertible bed structure.

As will be appreciated, there are many instances in hotels, motels, dormitories and even in private homes when it is desirable to provide a furniture structure which may be used as a double bed for night time sleeping or as a daybed or lounge. In addition, it is frequently desirable to provide storage means in association with the bed for accommodating pillows and bedding and also to provide a table or the like adjacent the bed. While structures have heretofore been proposed which may be used as a double bed or as a daybed or lounge, such structures are usually provided by a plurality of sections which may be folded or otherwise manipulated and are frequently or" relatively complicated and expensive construction which may not be suitable for obtaining maximum comfort. Furthermore such previously proposed convertible bed structures frequently require the provision of separate storage space for bedding and a separate table or the like so that the entire ensemble will be composed of a plurality of separate pieces which require a relatively great amount of fioor space.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel structure which may be selectively adaptable for use as a double bed or as a daybed or lounge and which provides storage space for bedding and the like and also table or shelf means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel structure of the above described type which is constructed so that conventional box springs and mattresses of double bed size may be used therein.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel structure of the above described type which is of compact, simple and economical construction.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel structure of the above described type having table and cabinet means and double bed means which are interconnected in a manner which enables the double bed means to be shifted in an easy and positively controlled manner between a retracted position partially beneath the table and cabinet means for providing a daybed or lounge and an extended position for providing a double bed.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a furniture structure incorporating features of the present invention and in a condition for use as a daybed or lounge;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the present invention with the bed portion thereof manipulated and positioned for night time use;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view partially broken away for showing portions of the structure in greater detail;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 55 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of a structure incorporating features of the present invention with the bed portion of the structure shifted to a fully extended position;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the structure of the present invention with the bed portion of the structure shifted to a fully retracted position; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of the structure in greater detail.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a furniture structure ill incorporating features of the present invention comprises a bed portion 12 and a table or cabinet portion 14. Means 16 shown best in FIGS. 4 and 5 connects these two portions so that the bed portion may be easily shifted in a positively controlled manner between the fully retracted position shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the partially extended position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the fully extended position shown in FIG. 6.

The bed portion of the structure comprises a generally rectangular frame 18 having opposite side longitudinally extending frame members 20 and 22 shown in FIGS. 4-6 and 8. These opposite side frame members are preferably in the form of angle irons and are secured to a plurality of transversely extending frame members or angle irons 24, 26, 28 and 30 by any suitable means such as welds or bolts or rivets. A headboard 32 is connected to the transverse frame member 30 adjacent one end of the bed frame structure.

The bed portion also includes a box spring unit 34 disposed on the rectangular frame structure 18 and a mattress 36 on the box spring. The box spring and the mattress may be of any suitable known construction, but it is important to note that they are at least of double bed width and length.

As indicated above, the bed portion of the structure is adapted to be shifted to and from retracted and extended positions. In order to enable such movement to be accomplished easily, the bed frame structure 18 is supported adjacent its four corners by rollers 38, 40, 42 and 44, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-8. As shown best in FIG. 8, the roller 38 is mounted by bracket elements 46 and 43 secured to and depending from the transverse frame members 24 and 26. The remaining rollers are similarly carried by bracket elements identical to the bracket elements 46 and 48 and secured to and depend ing from the transverse frame members. It will be noted that all of the rollers are arranged so that their axes are parallel to each other and to the side frame member 20 of the bed frame structure.

The table or cabinet structure 14 comprises a table top or panel 50 which is supported at a height slightly above the upper surface of the mattress 36 so that the bed portion of the structure may be rolled beneath the panel 50. One end portion of the panel 50 is connected to and supported by leg members 52 and 54 located at adjacent corners of the panel. An opposite end portion of the panel is supported by leg members 56 and 58 which, however, are spaced longitudinally from the panel to provide a clearance space 60 and are connected indirectly to the panel through a box or storage compartment portion of the structure. Of course, the leg members 56 and 58 are spaced sufliciently from the leg members 52 and 54 to enable the bed portion of the structure to be rolled there between, and it will be noted that the clearance at is of sufficient width to accommodate the headboard 32 of the bed.

The box or storage compartment portion of the table or cabinet structure comprises a pair of end members 62 and n4 secured to and extending upwardly from the panel St Preferably the end member 62 is disposed intermediate the ends of the panel so as to leave a portion of the panel 50 exposed for providing a table top at about the height of the bed. The end member 64 is preferably secured to the panel substantially at the end thereof adjacent the leg members 56 and 58 for combining with the leg members to define the clearance space 60. Another table top panel 66 is secured to the upper margins of the end members 62 and 64. As shown in the drawings a marginal portion 68 of the top panel 66 extends beyond the end members 64 and is secured to the upper ends of the leg members '56 and 58.

A bolster 74 which may be padded in any desired manner is pivotally connected to a margin of the top panel -66 by a plurality of hinges 72, 74 and 76 as shown best in FIG. 3. The bolster normally is in the lower or closed position shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, so that it may be used as a backrest. However, the bolster is adapted to be pivoted to the raised or open position shown in FIG. 3 so as to expose a storage compartment 78 defined by the panels 50 and 66 and the end members 62 and 64 and adapted to contain pillows, bedding and the like. If desired, the depth of the storage compartment may be limited by the provision of a back wall panel 8t), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. Preferably the panel 86 is substantially centrally located so that the opposite sides of the table or cabinet structure 14 may selectively be used as the front side merely by changing the location of the bolster from one side to the other.

The connecting means 16 comprises a frame member or angle iron 82 extending between and connected to the rearmost legs 52 and 56 of the table or cabinet structure and a similar angle iron or frame member 84- extending along and secured to the side of the bed frame 18. The frame member 32 has a horizontal flange portion 86 which is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 88 adjacent one end thereof and an elongated longitudinally extending slot 90 adjacent an opposite end thereof as shown in FIG. 4. The frame member or angle iron 84 similarly is provided with a horizontal flange portion 92 having a plurality of apertures 94 adjacent one end thereof and an elongated slot 96 adjacent the opposite end thereof.

Link members I 8 and 106 are disposed in cross or scissors-like relationship and extend between the frame members 82 and 84. These link members have their mid-portions pivotally connected to each other by a pivot pin 102. One end of the link member 98 is connected with the horizontal flange 92 of the frame member 84- by a pin or bolt 104, shown in FIGS. 4, and 8, and a corresponding end of the link member 1% is connected with the frame member 82 by means of a similar pin, bolt, rivet or other suitable fastening device 106. The fastening devices 104 and 1% are respectively selectively inserted through the apertures 94 and 88. By changing the apertures through which the fastening devices are inserted, the effective length of the linkage system provided by the link members 98 and 1% may be adjusted for controlling the distance which the bed structure may be pulled outwardly from the table or cabinet structure. Ends of the link members 98 and 100 oppositely disposed from the pivot or fastening devices 104 and 106 are respectively pivotally connected to the frame members 82 and 8 by similar pivot or fastening devices 1% and lit extending through the slots 90 and 96.

With the linkage or connecting system described above, it will be appreciated that the bed portion of the structure will be positively and accurately guided as it is moved to and from the retracted and extended positions. In addition, such movement may be easily accomplished since it is merely necessary for an operator either to pull or push the bed portion of the structure in the direction it is desired for it to move, and no lifting or similar manipulations of the bed structure are required. In order to aid in pulling the bed structure out, a strap or the like 112 is preferably provided which strap is secured to the frame member 84 as shown at 114 in FIG. 5 and is adapted to extend up and partially over the mattress of the bed portion as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

As indicated in FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 7, the combined width of the top panels of the table or cabinet structure and the bolster is preferably similar to about one-half of the Width of the bed portion. Thus, when the bed portion is in the retracted position shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, about one-half of the area thereof will remain exposed for providing a comfortable daybed or lounge for which the bolster will provide a backrest. It will be appreciated that when a person sits on the bed and leans against the bolster or backrest, there may be a tendency for the bed to roll outwardly. This tendency is controlled :by means of latching or retaining members 116 and 118 secured to the frame member 82 and in alignment with the rollers 38 and 40; Each of these members includes a horizontal portion resting on the floor and respectively having an upwardly extending projection or bump 120 and 122. The bumps 120 and 122 are spaced laterally from the frame member 32 sufficiently so that when the bed portion of the structure is in the fully retracted position, the bumps will engage behind the rollers 38 and 40, as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 7 for retaining the bed portion in the retracted position until an operator exerts a pull sufiicient to cause the rollers to ride up over the bumps.

When the bed portion of the structure is to be used as a double bed, it is preferably pulled to the position shown in FIG. 3 so that its inner side is adjacent to the outer side of the table or cabinet structure. However, the linkage mechanism is such that the bed may be pulled to the fully extended position shown in FIG. 6 at which there is a considerable space between the inner side of the bed and the outer side of the table or cabinet structure so as to permit access to the inner side of the bed to facilitate making the bed.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A convertible bed comprising: a furniture structure including a first horizontal panel and a second horizontal panel corresponding in width to said first panel, said second panel being of diminished length relative to said first panel and being spaced vertically thereabove, the total extent of said panels in the direction of their length exceeding the length of a bed unit whereby to accommodate a lateral portion of a said bed unit therebeneath in order thereby to occupy substantially no more floor space than is required for the bed unit alone; a backrest member mounted on said furniture structure adjacent the vertical space between said panels, the width of said furniture structure cooperating with the thickness of said backrest member to locate the forward surface of said backrest member close to a forward lateral edge of a bed unit retracted beneath said furniture structure whereby to define a comfortable seating surface on said bed unit between said backrest member and said forward lateral edge; a bed unit of double bed size supported for movement to and from a retracted position in which a portion thereof underlies said furniture structure and an extended position away from said furniture structure, said bed unit including a double bed sized mattress having an uninterrupted surface; and extensible and contractile means mechanically connecting said bed unit and said furniture structure, including links selectively pivoted and selectively slidably mounted to said furniture structure and to said bed unit whereby positively to guide said bed unit for straight-line, lateral movement in a path perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said furniture structure.

2. A convertible bed according to claim 1 and further comprising roller means secured to said bed unit in depending relationship for supporting said bed unit on an underlying surface, said convertible bed additionally comprising a plurality of retaining members connected to said furniture structure and engageable with said roller means when said bed unit is in the retracted position whereby releasably to retain said bed unit in said retracted position,

each of said retaining members including an upwardly extending projection arranged to block forward movement of a said roller means in said retracted position.

3. A convertible bed according to claim 1 wherein said first panel is vertically closely adjacently spaced apart irom the upper surface of said mattress in said retracted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Frey Sept. 4, 1956 Maguire June 14, 1959 Rosen Feb. 6, 1940 Kerr et al Mar. 5, 1940 6 Bell June 23, 1942 Ziegenfuss Jan. 24, 1950 Green Feb. 17, 1953 Ziegenfuss Mar. 10, 1953 Harrison Oct. 12, 1954 Brown Oct. 18, 1955 Andes Feb. 19, 1957 Davis et a1. Aug. 18, 1959 Frey Sept. 22, 1959 Fox Oct. 6, 1959 OTHER REFERENCES Kroehler Furniture Flyer illustrating section sofa No. 105, item-table between sofa sections, received in Patent Bowersox May 7, 1940 15 Office Feb. 17, 1948. 

